Judicial leadership
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The Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary and judicial branch of government. She is the principal spokesperson for the judiciary and the principal point of interface between the judiciary and the executive branch of government.
The Chief Justice is ultimately responsible under the Senior Courts Act 2016 for the orderly and efficient conduct of the business of the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
All courts within New Zealand's court system are headed by a chief judge who has statutory responsibility for the business of their court or courts. The District Court, covering criminal and civil jurisdictions, has three other divisions: Family, Youth and Disputes. The Family and Youth Courts are headed by a Principal Judge.
The Disputes Tribunal is headed by the Principal Disputes Referee.
Heads of Bench as at 31 December 2023 were:
* Justice Fitzgerald was appointed Chief High Court Judge on 20 December 2023, taking over from Justice Susan Thomas who was appointed as a judge of the Court of Appeal.
** Judge Fox was formally appointed Chief Judge on 19 July 2023. She served as Acting Chief Judge from 30 April 2023, following Chief Judge Wilson Isaac’s retirement from the bench.
*** Ms Robertshawe joined the Heads of Bench Committee on 3 August. She is the head of the Disputes Tribunal, a division of the District Court.
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Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann Chief Justice and head of the Supreme Court |
Justice Mark Cooper President of the Court of Appeal |
Justice Sally Fitzgerald Chief High Court Judge* |
Chief Judge Heemi Taumaunu Chief District Court Judge |
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Judge Jacquelyn Moran Principal Family Court Judge |
Judge Ida Malosi Principal Youth Court Judge |
Chief Judge Caren Fox Chief Judge of the Māori Land Court** |
Chief Judge Christina Inglis Chief Judge of the Employment Court |
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Chief Judge David Kirkpatrick Chief Environment Court Judge |
Judge Anna Tutton Chief Coroner |
Chief Judge Kevin Riordan Chief Judge of the Court Martial and Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces of New Zealand |
Janet Robertshawe Principal Disputes Referee*** |
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